John Ihle

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
I grew up on a farm a half-mile north of Paullina. I lived in Paullina my entire life. I was an EMT with the Paullina Ambulance Service for over 25 years. I was also a Cub and Boy Scout leader for about 20 years.
LuAnn is an accountant working for PREMIER Bankcard in Sioux Falls. Our “child” is a 22-pound Chausie cat named Charlie.
I serve as an Elder and on the Worship Team for the First Presbyterian Church. I’m also the church’s technology guru and designed the church’s live stream and projection system. People will also remember seeing the Veterans’ Day video shown each year at the Veterans’ Day assembly at the high school. I’m honored to have maintained that presentation for many years.
I have a degree in Electronics Communications and am now neck deep in computers. I had a computer store here some years ago; built the 3 computers at the City offices and still repair computers around Paullina. That means I’m also very good at protecting computers from malware etc. I also designed and built the computers the church uses for streaming and media.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
I have the most extensive experience serving Paullina government than any of the Mayoral candidates. I served successfully on the City Council for nearly two decades. I was Mayor for one term during the COVID pandemic. I also served on the TCA Programing board for many years.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
My goals are best explained by dividing them into short-term and long-term goals.
In the short term, I plan to get the City’s finances back in order. A workable budget hinges upon accurate numbers. I’m told our clerks are working very hard to get the books in order, hopefully before by 2024, but until those accurate figures are produced, we need to plan on some hard work.
Paullina’s City government is about as dysfunctional as a government can get. It treats citizens with disrespect; takes shortcuts passing ordinances having to reverse them later; certain council members don’t treat the others with respect, especially if one dares to have a different viewpoint. If they can’t treat each other with respect, what chance does a citizen have? Council members are given only the information needed to advance the other’s cause. That has to change and I’m the one that can do it.
I plan to make our council a team again. Meetings will be conducted with respect to each other and especially towards the citizens that honor us by attending our meetings.
Long-term goals include: trees or lack of them. Upgrades to our utilities, especially water and electrical. Speaking of electrical: I’m old enough to remember when we had our own emergency generators. Primghar just installed their new generators, so I wonder, “why not?”
4) Why are you the best candidate?
Lots of reasons: Topping the list would be my extensive experience in city government. I know the proper procedure for passing ordinances.
Secondly – I’m a Paullina kid: I love Paullina and its residents. I didn’t move away and move back after many years.
I treat everyone with respect. I’m great at building a team.
I believe in supporting local business. One of Paullina’s strong points is a vibrant local business community. Our past council and mayor took the City’s business out of town much too often.
I’m predominately a positive person. I’m always looking at something that others think is impossible and thinking, “if they can do it, we can do it.”

Marlin Sjaarda

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
I’m Marlin Sjaarda, and I grew up in Paullina and graduated from PHS. We moved to SD and MN and during that time my parents and in-laws lived in Paullina and we spent much time here. We moved back to Paullina in June 2022 – a decision we made to be able to help make a difference here.
I am an Accountant and CPA (inactive license) specializing in business financial information and planning and I provide Fractional Controller and CFO services to my clients.
My wife, Cheryl Hohbach, and I have three sons and daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren in SD, MN and VA.
My hobbies include volunteering, car shows (watch for my light blue 1960 IH pickup) and being a project person.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
I have been elected as Finance Officer and President of 2,000+ member church in Twin Cities suburb, appointed to serve on the Open Space Committee in our former city to evaluate and select properties for purchase, and co-chaired a committee to pass a referendum for funding the purchase.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
I have four main areas of focus:
1) Enhance community pride (First Impressions; Downtown Appeal; Neighborhood clean-up – streets, curbs, weeds; focus on residents being good neighbors; create excitement – learn from organizations that are making a difference: Chamber, Legion Auxiliary, Theater group)
2) Infrastructure (Evaluate current condition of infrastructure – power, water, sewer, etc.; identify short-term and long term critical needs; determine solutions)
3) City Organization (Review current organization structure and position job descriptions; determine what is and is not working well; define and implement changes)
4) Planning (Brainstorm housing development options, develop capital improvement plan, identify projects and estimated costs, identify funding options)
4) Why are you the best candidate?
I love Paullina and I am excited to be an advocate for the community. Paullina is the “Gem of the Prairie” – but I think we are a diamond in the rough that has so much more potential. I have no personal agenda and only have a desire to make Paullina great, and I will donate all compensation (for 2024 to the Fire Department, Ambulance Service and Legion; 2025 tbd).
I am an experienced leader – I have been a Controller, Vice President of Finance, CFO, VP of Operations and an Executive team member – providing planning, solutions, leadership, etc.
My personality traits include critical thinker, approachable, good listener, can do approach, relationship builder, decision maker, team builder and team player, getting things done and leader (the Mayor and Council need to lead, but we can’t do that alone – we need the whole community’s involvement).

Steve Heeren

1) Tell us about yourself: Name, occupation, family, hobbies
Let me introduce myself, my name is Steve Heeren, my wife is Susan. Susan and I have two daughters, two sons in-law and seven grandchildren. Myself, along with my family, have been lifelong members of this community. I have been a member of Zion Lutheran Church for 30 years. Served on the Church board for more than 25 years as a Trustee, Elder and chairman of the endowment committee. It is very important to me, to be Christian and serve the Lord.
I started employment out of high school with a local contractor. I then attended Minnesota west community college and graduated with a degree in retail marketing and management. My skills of carpentry and degree in retail management lead me to a career in the retail lumber business. With that experience, I started and managed my own construction company for ten years. After that time, I returned to retail management and the customer service field. Currently I am employed by AgState as a customer service representative. I am responsible for managing customer accounts. I really enjoy helping people become successful in the Agricultural business.
Like most people in this area, I enjoy hunting and fishing. I enjoy working on and showing classic cars alongside the rest of my family. Susan and I like to participate in car cruises, car shows and even enjoy driving our classic car on vacations to various locations.
2) Describe all experience you have with elected or public appointed office
I have been a member of the city council for six consecutive years. Elected to the church board and served for more than twenty-five years. Attended the LCMS National convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in August of 2023. Serving on the church board has given me the confidence to serve as a city council member. I have learned how meetings are run and how to make good decisions that affect people and their livelihood. Being a city council official taught me the real insight and skills of how a city government operates.
3) Tell the public your goals and expectations should you be elected to the office you seek
My number one goal is that we must build a new emergency service building to meet the needs of our Fire, Ambulance and Police department. I would like to promote the safety and well being of Paullina residents and business owners.
Having well maintained and very public finances and budget is also important to me. The finances need to be presented clearly and concisely to the council. This will help the council make the best financial decision for the city.
I would like to expand parks and recreation opportunities for our youth along with the adults in Paullina. I would encourage the council to work with the committee in developing plans for a bike and fitness trail.
Along with this, I would like to improve and maintain Paullina’s properties, utilities and infrastructure. The city needs to provide quality water and electricity to all residential and businesses.
The greatest asset of Paullina is our citizens.
4) Why are you the best candidate?
I have served on the Paullina city council for six years. I spent two years prior to that as a city employee. I have also invested a lot of time learning the strengths and weaknesses of our city. I believe I am the best candidate to lead the council and the designated committees to do great things for our town.